Colorado Avalanche share update on Valeri Nichushkin's status amid six-month suspension

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Graham Montgomery
October 8, 2024 (9:48 PM)

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Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland shared an update on the status of Valeri Nichushkin, revealing when he could return to the lineup.

Nichushkin was suspended six months after his second violation of the NHL player assistance program during the playoffs last year. It was the latest incident involving Nichushkin, who has developed a questionable reputation after missing time in the playoffs for the Avalanche in back-to-back seasons. Nichushkin's current suspension is intended to serve as a final warning as the player could be banned from the league permanently should he violate the NHL player's assistance program a third time. Luckily, it appears that his recovery process is going well and he is expected to return to the team on schedule according to general manager Chris MacFarland.

"We are still working through the reintegration process. This is my first time going through this stage but I do believe we will get to a point where the player (Nichushkin) is travelling back to Denver later this month. At some point in November he will be joining practice when he is officially ready to role."

MacFarland also spoke to the character of his team in the press conference, saying that no one on the current roster would refuse to welcome Nichushkin back to the team. There has been some concern that his teammates would feel let down considering the timing of his suspension last season, but it seems as though those concerns have been assuaged.

Nichushkin is a big wild card for the Avalanche this season as they hope to go on a deep playoff run for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup. Since he joined the Avalanche he has been a consistent top-six performer, putting up 93 goals and 200 points in 289 regular-season appearances with the club. He has 22 goals and 32 points in 55 career playoff games with the club as well. If he can return and have an immediate impact, it would go a long way to the Avalanche re-establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the NHL.